The Nest for Newlyweds

Nest.com from The Knot

The Nest is a Web site for newlyweds launched by The Knot, the Web's leading wedding site. Taking the same 360-degree approach as The Knot, The Nest endeavors to show The Nest for newlywed couples what's on the other side of the horizon after the wedding and honeymoon.

There are articles geared to newlyweds and organized under the topics "love," "living," and "life" on The Nest. "Living" seems to be dedicated to entertaining; "Life" focuses on money and buying a home. (Having experienced "Life" firsthand, I'm here to tell you it can really put a crimp in "Living.")

Articles for newlyweds like "Ideas for initiating sex" and "Get skinny for summer" send up a red flare. If you have to start worrying about spicing up your sex life or starting a diet right after the honeymoon, something would seem to be amiss in Mr.-and-Mrs. Land.

On The Nest, newlyweds can use interactive tools to:

• Build their own Web page
• Access newlyweds message boards
• Receive personalized content
• View video clips
• Get special offers for newlyweds

In addition, a monthly newsletter from The Nest promises to deliver a "look at what should be on your newlyweds to-do list, plus advice from real couples, great date ideas, love and relationship advice, tips on saving money and suggestions for cool ways to decorate your space." I don't know about you, but having to keep up with all those things makes me a wee bit anxious.

Registration is required to use The Nest. As I went through the process, I balked at providing my husband's email address (basic rule for female newlyweds: some things are his and his alone) but I still was able to register. I also was able to skip providing demographic information. (I realize The Nest exists to sell newlyweds stuff, but that doesn't mean I have to help them). Finally registered, I arrived at a page that informed me it was 287 days till my anniversary. Somehow, I will manage to fill that time.

Our Nest

As a registered user of The Nest, I now have a customized page where I can upload our image and build:

• Our To-Do List
• Our Budget
• Our Homepage
• Our Address Book
• Our Wish List
• Our Blog
• Our Posts/Bio
• Our Notebook

The Nest feels a little bit like school to me — fill this out, do this now, buy that tomorrow — and a regimented school at that. Newlyweds who have just pulled off a wedding have already experienced living by deadlines and coordinating countless mind-numbing details.

As newlyweds, this is your time to relax and start inventing a life together that reflects your own timetable, your style, and your rules.

Still, if you want to remain super-organized, the tools on The Nest can assist you. Just keep in mind the words of former Beatle John Lennon:

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."